#TuesdayThoughts 3 Grounding Apps for Panic Attacks

#TuesdayThoughts: Panic Attacks by Amy Tackett

Panic attacks are characterized by the sudden onset of anxiety, meaning they can happen to anyone at any time. Symptoms vary, but the most common ones include hyperventilation, chest pain, and one or more irrational fears. The physical effects of a panic attack can wreak havoc on your body, often leaving one drained and fatigued hours later. Luckily, though, mental health professionals everywhere have developed grounding apps to help alleviate stress and anxiety during an attack.

These applications use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help you focus on facts rather than emotions. If you need help managing your anxiety, then check out these three grounding apps:

1. What’s Up

This application features a “Help Right Now” section, which offers everything from breathing techniques to positive affirmations and grounding exercises. When you feel anxious, use these to help prevent a full-blown panic attack.

2. Headspace

This grounding app is a fully customizable meditation guide. When you sign up, it prompts you with a set of questions about your struggles, daily routines, and meditation preferences. Then, it populates ten introductory reflections based on your needs.

Users can also subscribe to their mediation library for more helpful exercises.

3. Pacifica

Similar to Headspace, Pacifica asks a series of questions when you sign up and provides guided meditations that correlate with your mental health goals. However, it also allows you to track your daily health habits, such as sleep patterns, exercise, and water intake. Perhaps what’s most unique, though, are the communities. These are message boards that allow people to ask questions and give advice in a safe environment.

Do you struggle with anxiety? If so, download one (or all) of these grounding apps to help reduce stress and alleviate fear-based emotions. By embracing your body’s natural endorphins, you’ll improve your mental and physical health.